George W. Bush: Vladimir Putin ‘dissed’ Barney the dog

Former President George W. Bush is unveiling a new painting exhibit Saturday that features some of his renderings of the world leaders he worked with during his time in office, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Vladimir Putin, yeah, I met with him a lot during the presidency,” Bush said as he described the painting during an interview with his daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, for NBC’s “Today” show. “I got to know him very well. I had a good relationship throughout, it became more tense as time went on.”

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“Vladimir’s a person who in many ways views the U.S. as an enemy,” Bush said. “And although he wouldn’t say that, I felt that he viewed the world as either the U.S. benefits and Russia loses or vice-versa. I tried of course to dispel him of that notion.”

Bush said he learned some of Putin’s character when he introduced the Russian leader to another one of his favorite painting subjects: his dog Barney.

“Our dear dog Barney, who has a special spot in my heart. I introduced him to Putin: Putin kind of dissed him,” Bush told his daughter. “‘You call that a dog?’ A year later, your mom and I go to visit Vladimir at his Dacha outside of Moscow and he says, ‘Would you like to meet my dog?’ Out bounds this huge hound, obviously much bigger than a Scottish Terrier. And Putin looks at me and says, ‘Bigger, stronger and faster than Barney.’”

The 43rd president said the encounter gave him plenty of inspiration for the Putin portrait.

“I took it in. I didn’t react,” Bush said. “I said, ‘Wow, anybody who thinks "my dog is bigger than your dog" is an interesting character.' And the painting kind of reflects that.”

Bush is revealing dozens of his never-before-seen paintings as part of “The Art of Leadership: A President’s Personal Diplomacy,” an exhibit at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas.

Other leaders featured include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who Bush told about the painting but also has not seen it.

“I hope he likes it,” Bush said. “I like it because it conveys a compassionate person and a strong person and a reliable friend.”

Bush also painted his father, former President George H.W. Bush, which he called “a joyful experience” that he admitted came with “a little bit” of tears. He said he thinks his painting captures a “gentle soul.”

“Today” revealed the painting for the first time to Barbara Bush, wife of George H.W., live on the air after her son’s interview concluded.

“That’s my husband?” she quipped. “I really like it.”

As for whether Barbara ever expected her son harbored a hidden affinity for art throughout his life, she had one word:

“No.”

She also revealed her favorite of her son’s paintings.

“I like the ones he painted of those two dogs. The great big one and the little one,” Barbara Bush said. “And I like the one very much he gave me, that he told me I had to put on the back, ‘This goes back to George W. when I die.’ I did not put that on the back.”